Microsoft’s virtual assistant Cortana arrives for iOS

Cortana might well already be available across Microsoft’s own plaforms and Google’s Android OS, but the virtual assistant is only just now beginning to make its way out of private beta for iOS owners.

If you want to get in on the public beta, you’ll need to register your interest by filling in a survey and then cross your fingers, according to a post on the Microsoft Community forums.

“In the spirit of the Windows Insider Program, we’re looking for a limited number of people to get their hands on an early version of the app. It’s important to keep in mind that this is the first public release of the Cortana for iOS beta. And that for now, Cortana for iOS is only available in the U.S. and China. Over the coming months, we’ll continue to deliver frequent updates to the app to expand the features and functionality”

For now, what that means is that there’s no deep integration between Cortana and iOS, so you can’t do things like say “Hey, Cortana” to activate the feature.

Nonetheless, if you’re an iOS user with a modicum of patience and a hankering for more Microsoft apps on your iPhone, then go right ahead.